Archive for the ‘NewSong Music’ Category

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Gar Ragland Featured on Josh and Tom Devour the World Podcast

Wednesday, March 31st, 2021

Devouring the World with Gar, Josh, and Tom

Earlier this month performer/improviser/comedian Tom Chalmers and CEO of Bright Star Touring Theatre, Josh Batenhorst, hosted our very own Gar Ragland on their podcast where they discuss what they’ve been “eating/drinking and thinking” over the past week, both literally and figuratively, and then interview a real-life working artist, creator or thinker who share what they’ve been devouring.

“Gar Ragland is a man on a mission! As a long-time producer of musical artists, he saw an opportunity in the vinyl record industry and is making the most of it with his new project, Citizen Vinyl – a full scale vinyl record press located in the Asheville Citizen-Times building in downtown Asheville. What started out as a pure manufacturing project as become a multi-faceted venue with artisan deli, coffee, craft cocktails, a record store and full recording studio! We’re glad he carved out a few minutes to talk about this vinyl pressing project along with pressing subjects like bacon presses, printing presses, waffle irons, and ecoystems complete with producers, consumers and decomposers. We were impressed! You will be too!” 

If you enjoy a little banter, music industry talk, and hearing folks gush about their passions — this is one for you! Click play below to listen or add it to your queue on your favorite podcast streaming service:

 

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Announcing the 2021 NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition

Sunday, March 14th, 2021

Submissions Now Open 2021; Ft 2019 Finalist Danielle Ponder

Citizen Vinyl to Host Performance Finals in Downtown Asheville on December 4, 2021

 

NewSong Music is now accepting original song entries for its 19th annual songwriting and performance competition, presented by Citizen Vinyl. The program, whose curated showcases have been a fixture in the national music scene since 2001, is proud to announce a new partnership with North Carolina’s first vinyl record pressing facility to present this year’s performance and songwriting showcase and competition. On December 4th, Citizen Vinyl will welcome eight finalists for a socially-distanced performance showcase and networking opportunity at its spacious downtown Asheville location.

NewSong Music founder, music producer, and label head Gar Ragland launched Citizen Vinyl in the fall of 2020 as its founder and CEO, with a mission to offer quality vinyl manufacturing to the music industry as North Carolina’s first record pressing facility. Though new to the scene, Citizen Vinyl is quickly establishing itself as one of the nation’s premier vinyl pressing facilities, equipped to fulfill both small batch orders for independent artists and labels as well as large-scale projects for the major labels. Later this year, the downtown Asheville pressing facility, which also includes a vinyl-themed craft cocktail bar and café, an analog music and art store, and an intimate performance space, will play host to eight of North America’s most talented emerging artists as they network, showcase and compete for a chance to win this year’s grand prize package.

“Having Citizen Vinyl serve as the presenting sponsor of this year’s NewSong Music Competition just feels like a perfect pairing,” says Ragland. “Just as NewSong Music has been recognizing and celebrating excellence in performance and songcraft for the last twenty years, Citizen Vinyl was recently born from the same spirit…to both celebrate music and honor the craft and artistry of record making. As the music industry begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Citizen Vinyl is excited to support this year’s program and its participating artists by making vinyl record projects more accessible.”

Green Room Capture by Josh Rhinehart from 2019 Performance Finals at Isis Music Hall in West Asheville, NC

Contest Details:

 

Discounted ‘Early Bird’ entries are open now through Sunday, May 9th, with the final deadline to submit on Sunday, October 10th. To submit your original music, visit newsong-music.com/contest. Finalists will be notified via email and announced through NewSong Music’s website and social media channels on Tuesday, November 2nd. Mark your calendars for the 2021 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition finale scheduled for Saturday, December 4th at Citizen Vinyl, located at 14 O Henry Ave in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.

This year’s Grand Prize Winner will receive:
• A fully funded, six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Citizen Studios and released on the NewSong Recordings label;
• A featured paid performance at Arts Brookfield’s Summer Concert Series in New York City in the summer of 2022 (date TBD);
• 500 x 12” vinyl records (gatefold, full-color jacket w/ sleeve) of their grand prize EP, pressed at Citizen Vinyl
 
The two (2) Award Round Runners-Up will each receive a vinyl package of 300 x 12″ records (single full-color jacket with sleeve), pressed at Citizen Vinyl.
 
Each entrant this year will receive a 10% discount on a vinyl pressing project at Citizen Vinyl (offer must be used before January 31, 2022).

 

For up-to-date information on the 2021 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition, including submission pricing, safety precautions, and more, visit newsong-music.com. To learn more about Citizen Vinyl, visit citizenvinyl.com. 

For media inquiries, contact Danielle Dror (danielle@teamvictorylap.com) at Victory Lap Publicity. For inquiries regarding contest entry, contact Milly Parker (milly@newsong-music.com) at NewSong Music.

Posted in Contest, NewSong Music | 4 Comments »

Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Scott Fab

Thursday, September 24th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Royal Oak, MI based Scott Fab.

Scott Fab is a Detroit born singer songwriter. In 2017 Scott released his first full length album, Leave My Friends, which No Depression called “A beautifully crafted album, perfect for today but reaching into the past.” Each song is a single brush stroke capturing the immediacy and intimacy often recognized in his live solo performances. Scott released his latest recording, Someday Soon Somehow, in March 2020.

We asked Scott some questions to learn more about his artistic process and inspiration. 

How do you describe your songwriting process?

My most reliable process usually begins with a chord progression and a loose melody. If the melody is strong enough, it will often give rise to a mood that provokes a word, thought or phrase. After that, it’s all hammer and nails until the song can stand on its own.
 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

Inspiration for me comes with a personal connection and is usually dependent on how close I can listen and how long I can look. The slower the better. I’ve always been inspired by songwriters that have a lyrical poetry to their songs like Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Richard Buckner and Leonard Cohen. Songs that leave room for my imagination to wander.
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

I released my new album, Someday Soon Somehow, in March 2020, days before the world would close due to the pandemic. I am still very excited about the record, and I’m really looking forward to a time when I can share these songs in a live setting.
 

What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?

I think it’s an honor whenever one of your songs is recognized by your peers or by those with a real passion for songs. I’m really looking forward to this new experience. I’ll hope for an adventure.
 
To learn more about Scott Fab, visit his website and follow the artist on Instagram @ScottFabMusic and Facebook. 

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Noan Partly

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Tampa, FL based Noan Partly.

Jazzy, indie-folk with midwest roots, Noan Partly was born and raised in Oklahoma. Residing and performing mostly in Florida’s Tampa Bay area, musical stylings of voice, guitar and banjo reverberate between a sultry focus and a spritely, soulful groove.

We asked Noan some questions to learn more about her artistic process and inspiration. 

How do you describe your songwriting process?

The best songs I write tend to come out all at once or in one or two sittings. Its kind of surreal when it’s all said and done — like my mind clears itself to make room for a feeling to get through. Those bad boys practically write themselves. The usual case though is, I have sort of a nagging emotion that I can’t put my finger on, and music has this way of really helping me tell myself the truth, so I hash and hash until the emotion or message finally aligns with my expression of it.
 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

I tend to find the most inspiration through my existential habits, feelings I can’t shake, questions I need help asking but don’t necessarily need the answers to. Observing the endless colors of the human condition and then sort of stretching out those observations and commenting on the textures that lay therein. I so admire the storytelling of Anais Mitchel and Andy Shauf, Andrew Bird’s ability to create such full auditory landscapes, Ani Difranco’s assured boldness, The Fleet Foxes really showed me what modern folk could be, Lianne Lahavas’s soul-striking vocals, Bela Fleck who gifted me my admiration of the banjo. The list goes on, as the say.
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

I am preparing to start a Music Therapy program here in Florida in the coming months. I look brightly forward to learning to utilize music’s magical properties in a new way.
 

What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?

I know I’m not alone when I say that music is consistently reassuring and heartening. I am so flipping grateful and honored to be featured among such authentic artists and am very thankful for the opportunity to share my rendering of musical expression with a new audience. I’m nearly mostly excited to meet with others who harness music in a similar way and can’t wait to all gather, bear witness to and be inspired by each other’s stylistic approaches.
 
Check out Noan Partly on Spotify and Facebook. 

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Aaron Burdett

Saturday, September 19th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Saluda, NC based artist Aaron Burdett. 

Aaron Burdett is an acclaimed Americana/folk singer-songwriter and performer from Western North Carolina, and is listed as one of the most important western NC musicians by WNC Magazine. His last four albums have been voted top 20 Albums of the Year by WNCW radio listeners. Drawing heavily on both the traditions of Appalachian folk music as well as nationally known songwriters, Aaron’s music gives voice to the small rural areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains while also speaking to the working men and women throughout the country.

We asked Aaron some questions to learn more about his artistic process and inspiration. 

 

How do you describe your songwriting process? 

Get an idea and write it down immediately. Store up all the ideas. Sit with a guitar and look at all the ideas as often as is possible. After a year so, one or two songs will emerge, and then you can edit them and reason with them individually. If it’s a good song, maybe perform or record it. If it’s not a good song, put it back in the pile and keep looking at the list of ideas. Repeat these steps as necessary.
 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. From things people say or something heard off the radio or in a passing conversation. Songs come from patient observation of the world outside.
 

What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?

It’s quite an honor, and I’m looking forward to meeting the other finalists and hearing what their music is all about!
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

We’re still recording and releasing music, navigating the new lay of the land in the music industry as best we can. We’ve released several singles already in 2020 and one, “Rockefeller,” is a finalist in the bluegrass category at Merlefest’s Chris Austin contest that’ll hopefully pick back up in 2021.
 
Visit aaronburdett.com to learn more about Aaron Burdett. Follow Aaron on Facebook and Instagram @aaronburdett.

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Lynne Hanson

Friday, September 18th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Canadian artist Lynne Hanson.

Lynne’s brand of “porch music with a little red dirt” can turn on a dime from a sunshine, blue sky ballad to a full-on thunderstorm of gritty Americana swamp from one song to the next. She’s known for her high-energy, roots guitar driven live performances, whether playing solo or with her band the Good Intentions. 

We asked Lynne some questions to learn more about her artistic process and inspiration. 

How do you describe your songwriting process?

Probably 90 percent of my creative process takes place while on a guitar. I might have a title or a line or two to start with, but melodies and groove are a big part of my lyrical development process. I can sometimes sit for an entire day playing the same thing over and over until the words find their way out and into my laptop. I pretty much never develop lyrics on actual paper as I love to edit while I go.
 

Where do you find inspiration, and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

I’m pretty much a sponge, so anything and everything can inspire a song. I’ve started songs in the back of tour vans, hotel rooms, and even on stage during soundcheck. Prior to the shutdown, I spent a lot of time touring, so I really had to set aside specific times to be able to create. Like a lot of songwriters at this time, I’m not writing a lot, but I’ve been at it long enough to know that no writer’s block is forever, and a lot of the time it’s just a case of needing time to process. And there is a LOT to process right now.
 

What important news about your music?

I released my seventh studio album “Just Words” in February 2020 which has gotten some excellent attention, including landing me song of the year from Blues and Roots Radio in their international song contest. I was just starting a year of album release touring when the pandemic hit, but I’ve been keeping occupied learning how to record at home, to livestream, and even a little video production.
 

What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?

I know how prestigious it is to be a NewSong finalist, so it is really quite an honour to have been selected. I’m looking forward to hearing the other finalists, and joining a fantastic songwriting community. And I’ve heard so many amazing things about the LEAF festival that I can’t wait to experience it first hand when we’re able.
 
Visit to learn more about Lynne Hanson on her website. Follow her on Instagram @plynnehanson and Facebook. 

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist B.J. Fisher

Friday, September 4th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight B.J. Fisher.

B.J. has been writing songs for the past 10 years while raising a young family of 6 and working in Milwaukee, WI. His debut album, Night Reminder, will be released this year

We asked B.J. some questions to learn more about his artistic process and inspiration. 

 

How do you describe your songwriting process?

My songwriting process varies, but often I feel a weight of experience and emotion that needs working out. I feel the need to look at my life, at things happening and begin naming things and letting them breathe. When I feel a song inside that needs working out, I do my best to pick up the guitar, fool around for a while and begin singing whatever comes, Free Willy style. When something lands and feels right, I stand on that to ride the wave, then slowly flesh out the rest of the song. It’s rare that the whole song happens at once, but it does happen. It’s usually a couple weeks, months or even years before it’s finished. I’ve also written words down on a page and put that to music, but it’s usually music before lyrics, or music and lyrics simultaneously.
 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

I find loads of inspiration from the wild ride of marriage, parenting small children, from striking works of art and relationships with people, nature and God. There’s been enough mystical happenings throughout my life that I’ve had to take notice, and I undoubtedly draw inspiration from them. The matters of the heart seem to strike more chords with me than any other. Some of my absolute favorite singer-songwriters are Bob Dylan, Bill Fay and Michael Nau.
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

I’m about to master my debut album, Night Reminder, releasing this year. The first single will be released this summer.
 

What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?

To be selected as one of the finalists for this event is so encouraging for me, as I’m just now beginning to release songs in my thirties, and to receive the support from the NewSong team is very special. Upon looking into the festival I was moved by the history, the welcoming spirit and holistic approach of bringing people together to celebrate life engulfed by the beautiful landscape of Black Mountain, NC. I hope to leave LEAF with new friends, a bigger heart and a greater sense of my purpose as an artist. 
 
Learn more about BJ on his website bjfishermusic.com. Follow him on Instagram @B.J._Fisher and on Facebook. 
 

 

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Naïmah

Friday, August 28th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Los Angeles, CA based artist Naïmah.

Naïmah is a SESAC-affiliated and Billboard-recognized singer and songwriter from Washington, D.C., currently based in Los Angeles. She is a member of songwriting/production teams Astana Music—a new record and production company created by legendary producer & Grammy-winning songwriter George Brown (founding member of Kool & the Gang), and The Element—a songwriting & production team made up of esteemed Grammy-winning songwriters, musicians and engineers.

We asked Naïmah some questions to learn more about her artistic process and inspiration. 

How do you describe your songwriting process.

My songwriting varies, but whether it’s with a guitar, a produced beat, or just some snaps – first and foremost is the melody. I start with a melody to lead how the picture starts unfolding in my head. With a few filler words that don’t make any sense I come across the one line that stands out and starts to direct the storyline. From there, it’s all smooth sailing describing the story like a scene on film.

 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

I find inspiration anywhere, honestly. Books, experiences, stories my friends relay, films, dreams… everywhere. Elliott Smith has been my favorite songwriter since 8th grade and remains so to this day.
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

With Covid, a lot of projects have been placed on hold, but I look forward to things taking motion again and the projects I have music on.
 

What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?

It means a lot to be a part of this diverse and talented circle of songwriters, and the broader artist community via the LEAF roster. I am really hoping I can participate in the in-person festival once COVID-19 is under control, so we can all come together to celebrate each other’s talents, gain more inspiration, and identify collaboration opportunities!
 
Learn more about Naïmah on her website, and follow the artist on Facebook and on Instagram @naimahmusic

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Introducing the 2020 LEAF Festival Finalists

Thursday, July 23rd, 2020

INTRODUCING the 2020 finalists of the LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Showcase & Competition, presented by NewSong Music:
 

Aaron Burdett – Saluda, NC
B.J. Fisher – Milwaukee, WI
Elisabeth Pixley-Fink – Portland, OR
Lynne Hanson – Ottawa, ON
Naimah – Washington, D.C.
Noan Partly – Tampa, FL
Samantha Cooper – Kalamazoo, MI
Scott Fab – Royal Oak, MI

They’ll be joining us here in Asheville this fall to network, showcase and compete at the LEAF Global Arts 50th LEAF Festival, held October 22-25, 2020 in Black Mountain, NC (right outside of Asheville).

 

 

 


YouTube playlist of the 2020 LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition finalists.

 

On behalf of everyone at LEAF Community Arts and NewSong Music, a DEEP thanks to all of the fantastic artists who submitted. The pool of talent was outstanding again this year, making our job all the more difficult and the finalists’ recognition all the more impressive.

To everyone who entered, your creative work inspires us. Thanks for sharing it, and PLEASE keep on writing, singing and recording your art … the world’s a better place for it, and we need your songs now more than ever.

Stay tuned for the launch of the 19th annual, international NewSong Music Competition.
BIG news to coming soon!

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Kelly English releases new single “I’m Not Like That”

Friday, May 15th, 2020

The indie pop song is the first to be featured on sophomore album, “The Savannah Theory,” produced and mixed by Gar Ragland and released on NewSong Recordings.

 

May 15, 2020 (Asheville, NC) – Connecticut-based singer-songwriter Kelly English is proud to announce the release of the first single, “I’m Not Like That” on Friday, May 15. The song is the first to be featured on her forthcoming album, “The Savannah Theory.” The album was recorded with NewSong Recordings and produced by Gar Ragland at the esteemed Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC.

“I’m Not Like That,” is reminiscent of Courtney Barnett’s deadpan delivery and guitar riffs. Independent female pop artists, like Grimes, also count among English’s inspirations.

“I rented a cottage in the Berkshires and brought my guitar with me,” says English of her writing process. While the singer-songwriter stays true to her indie-folk roots on The Savannah Theory, fans of English’s first record, City Limits (NewSong Recordings, 2017), may be surprised to hear more electric guitar on this compilation.

The songwriter offers a fully realized version of herself in this collection of melancholy songs, with dark lyrics and instrumentation and an introspective, indie-pop lean. “You will hear my Fender Jazzmaster guitar featured on much of the album,” says English. “This record demonstrates an honest, sincere insight into the ups and downs of my relationships and life experiences.”

English’s songwriting, paired with her graceful vocals, earned her a finalist spot in the 2015 NewSong LEAF Competition. More recently, in 2019, she won first prize in the Singer/Songwriter category in the New England Songwriting Competition, of which Meghan Trainor is a past contest winner.

Watch “I’m Not Like That” on YouTube.

Listen to “I’m Not Like That” on Bandcamp.

Listen to “I’m Not Like That” on Spotify.

For up-to-date information on Kelly English, visit kellyenglish.bandcamp.com/music
For more information about NewSong Recordings, visit newsongrecordings.com
For media requests, contact lea@newsong-music.com.

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